Premium
Understanding oral health beliefs and practices among Cantonese‐speaking older Australians
Author(s) -
Mariño Rodrigo,
Minichiello Victor,
MacEntee Michael I
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-6612.2010.00395.x
Subject(s) - immigration , ethnic group , oral health , china , oral health care , medicine , health care , family medicine , government (linguistics) , dental care , focus group , nursing , gerontology , political science , sociology , philosophy , anthropology , law , linguistics
Aim: The present study was conducted to explore how older immigrants from Hong Kong or Southern China manage their oral health in Melbourne. Methods: We used six focus groups involving 50 Cantonese‐speaking immigrants who were 55 years and over and living in Melbourne. Results: Four major themes relevant to oral health care emerged from the discussion: (i) traditional Chinese health beliefs; (ii) traditional medicine and oral health; (iii) attitudes towards dentists; and (iv) access to oral health‐care services. Language, communication and cost of dentistry were identified as major barriers to oral health care. Conclusion: Older Chinese immigrants in Melbourne have concerns about oral health care that are similar to other ethnic groups, they want more oral health‐related support from government, and many of they return to China or Hong Kong for dental treatment.